Your Mangystau expedition begins in the morning with a meeting with your guide-driver at your hotel in Aktau or Aktau Airport.
Leaving the city behind, travel through the extraordinary desert landscapes of Mangystau toward Torysh, the Valley of Balls.
Torysh is one of the region's most unusual natural attractions. Hundreds of enormous spherical stone formations are scattered across the open landscape, creating scenery that feels almost otherworldly. There will be time to walk among the formations, explore the valley and take photographs.
Continue toward the Kokala tract for a short stop before proceeding deeper into the Mangystau wilderness.
The journey then takes you to Sherkala Mountain, one of the most recognizable natural landmarks of the region. Its isolated form rises dramatically above the surrounding steppe and desert.
After lunch, continue to the spectacular Airakty Valley of Castles. The valley is known for dramatic cliffs, towers, ridges and rock formations resembling enormous ancient fortresses rising from the desert.
In the evening, set up camp in Airakty. Enjoy dinner surrounded by the peaceful desert landscape and spend your first night beneath the vast Mangystau sky.